I really don't know what happened, or why my personal visit to the offices to get my Part B signup did not work.
All I knew is that my Part B coverage wasn't showing up on the website.
I tried calling - not a good idea - I spent HOURS on the phone, without success.
So, this week, I got into the car, drove about 2 miles down the road, checked in and waited for almost 45 minutes (I didn't have an appointment), and saw a representative.
Who was immediately helpful.
I now have Part B coverage.
Now, I will need to set up the arrangements for paying for it, but - I'm in, without a penalty.
Penalty?
Yeah. It turns out that if you don't sign up at 65, for BOTH Parts A and B, you will have to pay a penalty for the rest of your life in the form of higher premiums.
The exception - which I qualified for - is for those over 65 who are still working (which, until 6/1/17, I was). I just needed to show them the form CMS-L564, signed by my former employer, which verified that I had acceptable health coverage during that post-65 time.
It just reinforces my understanding that paperwork is VERY important. Follow up with government, if there seems to be a problem. Verify any benefit online (actually, it's BETTER than over-the-phone), and keep files for paperwork.
And, all of that is just the sign-up process. I haven't submitted any claims yet.
All I knew is that my Part B coverage wasn't showing up on the website.
I tried calling - not a good idea - I spent HOURS on the phone, without success.
So, this week, I got into the car, drove about 2 miles down the road, checked in and waited for almost 45 minutes (I didn't have an appointment), and saw a representative.
Who was immediately helpful.
I now have Part B coverage.
Now, I will need to set up the arrangements for paying for it, but - I'm in, without a penalty.
Penalty?
Yeah. It turns out that if you don't sign up at 65, for BOTH Parts A and B, you will have to pay a penalty for the rest of your life in the form of higher premiums.
The exception - which I qualified for - is for those over 65 who are still working (which, until 6/1/17, I was). I just needed to show them the form CMS-L564, signed by my former employer, which verified that I had acceptable health coverage during that post-65 time.
It just reinforces my understanding that paperwork is VERY important. Follow up with government, if there seems to be a problem. Verify any benefit online (actually, it's BETTER than over-the-phone), and keep files for paperwork.
And, all of that is just the sign-up process. I haven't submitted any claims yet.
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